Financial Inclusion is about ensuring that everyone has access to appropriate financial services, enabling them to manage their money on a day-to-day basis, plan for the future, cope with financial pressure and deal effectively with financial distress.

Bank Accounts

Most high street banks are able to provide 'basic' bank accounts which anyone may apply for. These types of accounts should be available to the vast majority of our tenants, without having to meet the usual criteria for credit and address history. A similar facility is also available via local Credit Unions.

Savings Accounts

The Association can put tenants in touch with local Credit Unions to provide savings accounts. These accounts are available to all of our tenants and could lead to affordable loans being made available for a variety of purposes.

Loans

Local Credit Unions can make affordable loans available to account holders who save with them. The cost of a Credit Union loan is vastly less than the interest rates charged by 'doorstep lenders'. Borrowing from people who knock on your door, MUST be avoided.

Debt Management

Looking at your debts, prioritising them and putting them in order is one of the most important things that you can do, to ease as much financial pressure as possible. Arranging to see one of Orwell’s key partners in debt management will help you understand how to cope with unforeseen circumstances.

Fuel Economy

Understanding how you get charged for electric and/or gas and the rates that you pay is vital in keeping your fuel bills as low as possible. We can help you to do this in many ways. Most recently, we are working with a utility supplier to trial a new type of meter, the meter allows you to keep track of your usage, as well as providing competitive fuel charges.

Home Contents Insurance

Should you suffer from a break-in, flood or similar problem, making sure that your possessions are insured is vital. The cost of having contents insurance is a lot cheaper than you may think and is very easy to set up.

Lifestyle Education

We can advise you on many aspects of enjoying a happier, healthier and more financially settled lifestyle. We are currently working with the local Co-op and Suffolk Country Council in promoting healthy eating and saving money. These tips and hints are readily available to you.

Furniture & White Goods

We can put you in touch with organisations which can supply furniture and kitchen appliances to you, sometimes at a fraction of the cost of the high street shops. We could also be able to arrange money for you, by way of a grant, to help you enjoy some newer and nicer items.

Full details of all of these solutions are available from:

Richard Stewart
Orwell Housing Association's Financial Inclusion Officer
Direct Dial Telephone Number: 01473 228606
Mobile Telephone Number: 07725 200569
Email: rstewart@orwell-housing.co.uk